Cameron Green is slated to start bowling in IPL 2026 for the Kolkata Knight Riders in their match against the Lucknow Super Giants on April 9 at the Eden Gardens.
Green is now set to take the ball for the Knight Riders after Cricket Australia had earlier confirmed that he would play the early stages of the tournament as a specialist batter, while taking 10-12 days to build up his bowling loads. With that time having passed, it is expected that Green is ready to bowl in matches now.
“Cameron has a lower-back injury, which is being managed, but requires him to abstain from bowling for a short period. Cameron is currently rebuilding his bowling loads in India with a view to return in around 10-12 days’ time,” CA had said on March 30.
Green not bowling has been a talking point due to the many absences in the Knight Riders’ attack. Mustafizur Rahman had to be withdrawn from the tournament due to a BCCI mandate, while Harshit Rana and Akash Deep are missing the entire season with injury. Further, Matheesha Pathirana is yet to receive fitness clearance and a No Objection Certificate from Sri Lanka Cricket.
Green’s form with the bat has also been unconvincing, with scores of 18, 2, and 4 in the three games he has played. Batting at number 3, he is yet to inspire confidence, looking tentative and shaky. He was signed by the Knight Riders for a massive INR 25.20 crore fee, making him the expensive overseas player in the history of the IPL. His massive price tag and his lack of form have raised eyebrows, with criticism directed at him from fans and experts alike.Â
He made his debut in the IPL with the Mumbai Indians in 2023 and was clinical with the bat, scoring 452 runs across the season in the team’s run to the playoffs. Against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, he scored his first IPL century that season and picked up six wickets with the ball. He was traded to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the 2024 season, where he failed to click, scoring just 255 runs. However, he picked up 10 wickets with the ball.
